FFA: A Bountiful Year Ahead

By Kathryne A.

The Roland-Story FFA had their first chapter meeting on Friday, September 8th, in the Ag room. FFA is a student organization for farmers around the United States. The acronym, FFA, stands for Future Farmers of America. Every meeting starts off with breakfast for the members; this Friday the chapter had Casey’s donuts. The business session started off with Secretary Delaney Paulson giving her secretary’s report. 

Multiple officers talked about old business: exhibiting at County and State fairs, competing in the grilling contest at the Story County fair, and member recruitment at freshman orientation.

After old business, the officers discussed new and upcoming business in the chapter. There are a lot of events happening throughout the year:

  • Homecoming parade float - a group of FFA members will be putting together a float for the homecoming parade.
  • Volunteering at the community garden - anyone in the community can volunteer to go out and help with the FFA garden; contact Ms. Zimmerman if interested.
  • Elementary Farm Safety - Farm Safety is happening at the Roland-Story elementary school on Obtober 12 from 1-3pm. Multiple groups of FFA members will participate by being in different teaching groups for certain safety protocols. 
  • T-shirt Contest - Ms. Zimmerman will set up an FFA scavenger hunt around the high school, able for two students to win two t-shirts.
  • FFA National Convention - National Convention takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana. Chosen students that submitted an application will be able to go on the trip. The trip will be from November 1st through November 4th. 
  • Freshman Greenhand Fire-Up. Freshman will attend Greenhand Fire-Up on October 5th. Greenhand Fire-Up is an activity at NIACC in Mason City, where freshman students learn about what FFA is and the opportunities it can give you throughout high school and beyond. 

After the FFA members talked about business, the meeting was finished with a fun game to connect and build relationships between new and returning members. The total number of people attending the first meeting was 41, which included new and returning members. There are many new activities coming up through FFA, all students are welcomed to join and participate.

FFA meetings happen the second Friday of every month. Ms. Zimmerman is starting her third year as the Roland-Story FFA advisor. She’s excited for the new year, saying, “It's exciting to see new and returning FFA members, and we are ready to start the year off on a great foot!” 

Officers for the year include Jaclyn Gessner, President; Claire Jonas, Vice President; Hannah Tice, Vice President; Kathryne Arthur, Vice President; Emilia Broich, Past President; Grace Corcoran, Student Advisor; Zoe Van Hove, Reporter; Eva Corcoran, Reporter; Adalyn Sporleder, Treasurer; Delaney Paulson, Secretary; Morgan Bryan, Parliamentarian; and Olivia Younes, Sentinel. Committee chairs for the year are Jack Mohr, Madisen Sanderson, Olivia Reitano, and Morgan Paulson. If you are interested in joining FFA, talk to Ms. Zimmerman or the officers. 

Location: Story City, IA 50248, USA

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